Yield and Agricultural Input Assumptions Used in Analysis

Category

Yield (Current) 4.5-5 dry ton/acre 11.2-20.2 dry ton/acre

Yield (Projected) 6.59 dry ton/acre 13.7-24.6 dry ton/acre

Nitrogen Fertilizer 100 lbs/acre 15.2 lbs/dry ton 160 lbs/acre 8.4 lbs/dry ton

Phosphorus Fertilizer 40 lbs/acre 6.1 lbs/dry ton 60 lbs/acre 3.1 lbs/dry ton

Potassium Fertilizer 40 lbs/acre 6.1 lbs/dry ton 80 lbs/acre 4.2 lbs/dry ton

Herbicide 0.01 lbs/acre 0.002 lbs/dry ton 5.5 lbs/acre 0.29 lbs/dry ton

Insecticide 0.1-0.2 lbs/acre 0.0228 lbs/dry ton 0 lbs/acre 0 lbs/dry ton

Lime 0 lbs/acre 0.0 lbs/dry ton 2000 lbs/acre 104.7 lbs/dry ton

Diesel 2.8-3.0 gal/acre 0.4 gal/dry ton 25 gal/acre 1.3 gal/dry ton

Electricity (irrigation) 0 kwh/acre 0.0 kWh/dry ton 600 kWh/acre 31.4 kWh/dry ton

1

Switchgrass sources: 2022 Nat'l Avg RFS2 Control Case (FASOM); 2010 Beach et al

2

Assumes switchgrass yield of 6.59 dry tons/acre in 2022.

3

Assumes energy cane yield of 19.1 dry tons/acre in 2022.

4

Energy Cane References:

Switchgrass1 Energy Cane

per acre per try ton2per acre per dry ton3
Bischoff, K.P., Gravois, K.A., Reagan, T.E., Hoy, J.W., Kimbeng, C.A., LaBorde, C.M., Hawkins, G.L. Plant Regis. 2008, Vol 2, No. 3, 211-217.

Hale, A.L. Sugar Bulletin, 2010, Vol 88, No. 10, 28-31
Energy Cane Data Sources4

/Notes

Bischoff 2008 (variety L 79-1002); Hale 2010 (variety Ho 02-113); 

discussions with USDA

Based on 2% annual yield growth; analysis assumes average of 19.1 

dry tons/acre

Bischoff 2008; discussions with USDA; LSU Ag Center Sugar Cane 

Fertilizer Recommendations 2011 (analysis assumes low end of what 

is recommended for sugarcane because energy cane is expected to be 

more efficient)

Bischoff 2008; discussions with USDA; LSU Ag Center Sugar Cane 

Fertilizer Recommendations 2011 (analysis assumes low end of what 

is recommended for sugarcane because energy cane is expected to be 

more efficient)

Discussions with USDA; LSU Ag Center Sugar Cane Fertilizer 

Recommendations 2011 (analysis assumes low end of what is 

recommended for sugarcane because energy cane is expected to be 

more efficient)

USDA estimate based on conservative scenario (2.5 lbs active 

ingredient/acre of Metribuzin in the spring and perhaps an application 

of Atrazine at last cultivation at 3.0 lbs active ingredient/acre). 

Herbicide would probably not be needed in the stubble crops.

USDA has not seen major insect pests for energy cane because it is so 

high in fiber, therefore not anticipating need for insecticide 

application unless pest emerges.

Lime application is highly dependent on soil pH; discussions with 

USDA suggest that approximately 25% of acreage may need 

application of lime at a rate of 2 tons/acre. This analysis assumes 50% 

of energy cane acreage requires lime application at 2 tons/acre.

Based on FASOM assumption of 24.8 gal/acre for sugarcane

Based on USDA estimate of 1.3 acre feet of irrigation (if little/no 

rainfall and therefore actual irrigation rates may be lower) and 

average FASOM electricity requirements for irrigation in SE, SC, and 

SW.
Emissions Calculations for Biochemical Ethanol

Ethanol yield = 92.3 gal/dry ton

LHV Ethanol = 76000 btu/gal

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 53583

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 7639

Nitrogen Fertilizer 15.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291413.998

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 3560

Phosphorus Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005 tons of P/lbs of P 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 486

Potassium Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005 tons of K/lbs of K 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 321

Herbicide 0.002 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tons of 

herbicide 3

Pesticide (average across 

regions) 0.0228 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons pesticide/

lbs pesticide 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 27216586.75

gCO2eq/

tons of 

pesticide 44

Lime 0.0

lbs/

dry ton 0.0

Diesel 0.4 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU diesel/

gal diesel 0.01083424

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 787

Electricity (irrigation) 0.0 kWh/dry ton 0

Total 

Emissions 12840

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 41100

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 5878

Nitrogen Fertilizer 8.4 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291414.00

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 1972

Phosphorus Fertilizer 3.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005 tons of P/lbs of P 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 252

Potassium Fertilizer 4.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005 tons of K/lbs of K 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 222

Herbicide 0.3 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tonsof 

herbicide 483

Switchgrass Inputs

Energy Cane Inputs

Conversions Emissions/mmbtu fuel
Pesticide 0.0 lbs/dry ton 0

Lime 104.7 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

ton lime/

lbs lime 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 408231

gCO2eq/

ton of lime 3057

Diesel 1.3 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU/

gal diesel 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 2350

Electricity (irrigation) 31.4 kWh/dry ton 0.0034

mmBtu/

kWh 0.01086957

dry ton biomass/

gallons fuel 1.31579E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 219,824

gCO2eq/

mmBtu 3370

Total 

Emissions 17584

Difference 4744

*Source: IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Vol. 4: Agriculture, Forestry; and Other Land Use.
gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Emissions/mmbtu fuel
gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel
Emissions Calculations for Thermochemical Ethanol

Ethanol yield = 74.9 gal/dry ton

LHV Mixed alcohols = 89480 btu/gal

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 53583

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 7995

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Nitrogen Fertilizer 15.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291413.998

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 3726

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Phosphorus Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of P/lbs of 

P 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 509

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Potassium Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of K/lbs of 

K 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 336

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Herbicide 0.0015 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons 

herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tons of 

herbicide 3

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Pesticide (average across 

regions) 0.023 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons pesticide/

lbs pesticide 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 27216586.75

gCO2eq/

tons of 

pesticide 46

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Lime 0.0

lbs/

dry ton 0

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Diesel 0.4 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU 

diesel/

gal diesel 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 824

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Electricity (irrigation) 0.0 kWh/dry ton 0

Total 

Emissions 13439

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 41100

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 6132

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Nitrogen Fertilizer 8.4 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291414.00

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 2057

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Phosphorus Fertilizer 3.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of P/lbs of 

P 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 263

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Potassium Fertilizer 4.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of K/lbs of 

K 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 232

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Herbicide 0.3 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons 

herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tonsof 

herbicide 504

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Switchgrass Inputs

Energy Cane Inputs

Conversions Emissions/mmbtu fuel
Pesticide 0.0 lbs/dry ton 0

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Lime 104.7 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

ton lime/

lbs lime 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 408231

gCO2eq/

ton of lime 3189

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Diesel 1.3 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU/

gal diesel 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 2451

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Electricity (irrigation) 31.4 kWh/dry ton 0.0034

mmBtu/

kWh 0.01335113

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 1.11757E-05

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 219,824

gCO2eq/

mmBtu 3516

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Total 

Emissions 18345

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

Difference 4906

gCO2eq/mm

btu fuel

*Source: IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Vol. 4: Agriculture, Forestry; and Other Land Use.
Emissions Calculations for F-T Diesel

Ethanol yield = 58.6 gal/dry ton

F-T diesel LHV 115439 btu/gallon

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 53583

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 7921

Nitrogen Fertilizer 15.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291413.998

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 3692

Phosphorus Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of P/lbs of 

P 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 504

Potassium Fertilizer 6.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of K/lbs of 

K 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 333

Herbicide 0.0015 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons 

herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tons of 

herbicide 3

Pesticide (average across 

regions) 0.023 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons pesticide/

lbs pesticide 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 27216586.75

gCO2eq/

tons of 

pesticide 46

Lime 0.0

lbs/

dry ton 0

Diesel 0.4 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU 

diesel/

gal diesel 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 817

Electricity (irrigation) 0.0 kWh/dry ton 0

Total 

Emissions 13315

Category

N2O Emissions* 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 41100

g CO2eq/

dry ton 

biomass 6076

Nitrogen Fertilizer 8.4 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of 

nitrogen/lbs of 

nitrogen 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 3291414.00

g CO2eq/

ton of 

nitrogen 2038

Phosphorus Fertilizer 3.1 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of P/lbs of 

P 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 1123158.905

g CO2eq/

ton of 

phosphate 261

Potassium Fertilizer 4.2 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons of K/lbs of 

K 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 742545.7661

g CO2eq/

ton of 

potassium 230

Switchgrass Inputs

Energy Cane Inputs

Conversions Emissions/mmbtu fuel
Herbicide 0.3 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

tons 

herbicide/

lbs herbicide 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 23450278.67

gCO2eq/

tonsof 

herbicide 499

Pesticide 0 lbs/dry ton 0

Lime 104.7 lbs/dry ton 0.0005

ton lime/

lbs lime 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 408231

gCO2eq/

ton of lime 3160

Diesel 1.3 gal/dry ton 0.13

mmBTU/

gal diesel 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 96551.365

gCO2eq/

mmBTU 

diesel 2429

Electricity (irrigation) 31.4 kWh/dry ton 0.0034

mmBtu/

kWh 0.01706485

dry ton 

biomass/

gallons fuel 8.66258E-06

gallons 

fuel/

btu fuel 219,824

gCO2eq/

mmBtu 3483

Total 

Emissions 18175

Difference 4860

*Source: IPCC (2006). 2006 IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories. Vol. 4: Agriculture, Forestry; and Other Land Use.
gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

Emissions/mmbtu fuel
gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel

gCO2eq/m

mbtu fuel
Energy cane

Fuel Type Biochemical Thermo-chemical

Net Domestic Agriculture (w/o land use change) 11 11

Net International Agriculture (w/o land use change) 0 0

Domestic Land Use Change -2 -3

International Land Use Change, 

Mean (Low/High)

Fuel Production -33 4

Fuel and Feedstock Transport 3 3

Tailpipe Emissions 1 1

Total Emissions, Mean (Low/High) -5 32

Reduction 105% 67%

Switchgrass

Fuel Type Biochemical Thermo-chemical

Net Domestic Agriculture (w/o land use change) 6 6

Net International Agriculture (w/o land use change) 0 0

Domestic Land Use Change -2 -3

International Land Use Change, 

Mean (Low/High)

Fuel Production -33 4

Fuel and Feedstock Transport 3 3

Tailpipe Emissions 1 1

Total Emissions, Mean (Low/High) -10 (-17/-2) 27 (20/35)

15 (9/23) 16 (9/24)

15 (9/23) 16 (9/24)
F-T diesel

11

0

-3

5

3

1

33

66%

F-T diesel

6

0

-3

5

3

1

29 (22/37)

16 (9/24)

16 (9/24)
Hemicellulose 21.1 % on dry basis

Aden et al. 

2002 19 % on dry basis

Cellulose 37.4 % on dry basis

Aden et al. 

2002 32 % on dry basis

Lignin 18 % on dry basis

Aden et al. 

2002 27 % on dry basis

Switchgrass Energy cane
*Waiting for confirmation to use

provided by 

industry under a 

confidentiality 

claim*